The C.D. Wickramaratne death inquiry will determine whether the former IGP receives official police honours following the fatal shooting.
The C.D. Wickramaratne death inquiry will determine whether Sri Lanka’s former Police Chief receives official honours following the fatal shooting at his residence.
The post-mortem examination and inquest into the death of former Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickramaratne were scheduled for Thursday (17).
Wickramaratne died after sustaining a gunshot wound at his home in Thalahena, Malabe.
As an initial step, a Judicial Medical Officer from Colombo East Mulleriyawa Hospital visited the residence. The officer inspected the scene and obtained relevant medical records for the inquiry.
Police authorities said existing regulations would prevent Wickramaratne’s body from being dressed in official uniform or receiving police honours if the judicial medical examination and Magistrate’s inquiry formally determine that he died by suicide.
Senior police sources said no police officer whose death was officially classified as suicide had previously received such honours. They also described the incident as the first suspected suicide involving a former IGP in Sri Lankan police history.
C.D. Wickramaratne Death Inquiry Examines Firearm
The shooting occurred on Thursday morning at Wickramaratne’s residence.
During questioning, a police constable assigned to him reportedly said the former IGP requested his service revolver, stating that he wanted to inspect it.
According to the constable’s account, Wickramaratne then asked him to bring a glass of water. The officer left the area, and the shooting occurred shortly afterward.
Investigators said Wickramaratne sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. Officers recovered the revolver from the scene and placed it in police custody for forensic examination.
Police sources said Wickramaratne had completed his usual morning exercise routine with his two security officers. They reported seeing no visible signs of distress during that period.
He returned home at approximately 7:30 a.m. A gunshot was heard from inside the residence soon afterward.
Family members and neighbours responded immediately. With help from the two security officers, they transported Wickramaratne to Colombo East Mulleriyawa Hospital.
Doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. Wickramaratne, who was in his sixties, is survived by two sons.
Two Special Police Teams Appointed
Officers from Thalangama Police and several other stations arrived at the residence after the incident. Senior police officials also visited the scene as investigators began collecting evidence.
The Nugegoda Division Crime Scene Investigation Unit and police fingerprint specialists conducted forensic examinations.
On the advice of current IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya, authorities appointed two special police teams to examine whether personal circumstances contributed to the incident.
Investigators have questioned Wickramaratne’s widow, children and other relatives as part of the inquiry.
Malabe Police are conducting further investigations under the supervision of Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General Sajeewa Medawatta.
The inquiry is proceeding on the instructions of Western South Deputy Inspector General Samantha Wijesekara and under the direction of Nugegoda Division Senior Superintendent of Police Mangala Dehideniya.
Reports Link Distress to Family Dispute
Unconfirmed reports have suggested that Wickramaratne experienced emotional distress and mental pressure connected to a recent family dispute.
Those reports refer to a divorce case filed by the wife of one of his sons. The proceedings reportedly included an allegation of an extramarital affair.
The daughter-in-law had also reportedly submitted a domestic violence complaint to the Police Children and Women’s Bureau.
Reports further claimed that the way police handled the family matter caused Wickramaratne considerable distress. However, investigators have not publicly confirmed that the dispute caused his death.
Close associates reportedly said Wickramaratne had expressed concern about how authorities were conducting the related inquiries.
Any conclusion about his state of mind, motive or cause of death must therefore await the post-mortem findings, Magistrate’s inquiry and complete police investigation.
Wickramaratne was described as deeply religious. He reportedly avoided meat, alcohol and tobacco.
Retired Deputy Inspector General Jagath Fonseka, who trained with him at the Kalutara Police Training College, recalled that Wickramaratne regularly attended meditation programmes, including while serving as IGP.
The C.D. Wickramaratne death investigation remains ongoing. Authorities must now establish the circumstances through medical, forensic and judicial findings before deciding whether official police honours can be granted.
